New Wave Group Acquires Tenson AB
New Wave Group AB reported it acquired 100 percent of the shares in the Swedish outdoor and lifestyle company Tenson AB. Tenson AB will reportedly be part of the Sports & Leisure operating segment with a primary focus on the retail sales channel.
Gillz LLC Rebrands to Outdoor Nation Unlimited LLC
Gillz LLC, based in Jacksonville, FL, rebranded to Outdoor Nation Unlimited, emphasizing the company’s expansion beyond fishing apparel into the broader performance outdoor apparel category. The company’s consumer-facing brands include Gillz, Reel Life, FinTech, and Mad Pelican.
RC Tech Establishes Sales And Support Base For U.S. Outdoor Industry
RC Tech, a producer of Tungsten-based products and components for outdoor recreation applications, has formed The Tungsten Outdoor Group, a partnership between RC New Material USA, Tungsten Southern, LLC, and Outtech, LLC.
Marin Mountain Bikes Adds Territory Manager And Inside Sales Rep
Marin Mountain Bikes, Inc., based in Petaluma, CA, announced that industry veterans Mike Miranda and Keith Ketterer had joined its U.S. sales team as territory manager and inside sales representative, respectively.
Revo Continues Growth With Distributors In New Markets
Revo, the performance sunglass manufacturer, reported it added distributors in new markets.
Lululemon Launches On Zalando
Expanding on its presence in Europe, Lululemon agreed that Zalando, a European online fashion and lifestyle platform, would be its preferred European online retail seller.
Compass Diversified Board Member Retires
Compass Diversified, owner of Velocity Outdoor, BOA, Marucci, Primaloft, 5.11, and other businesses in the active lifestyle space, announced that C. Sean Day had retired from its Board of Directors, effective June 30, for personal health reasons. Heidi Locke Simon, a former partner at Bain & Company, replaced Day.
General RV Breaks Ground On 15th Dealership
General RV Center, the largest family-owned RV dealer in the U.S., held a groundbreaking ceremony for its 15th supercenter store in South Weber, UT, its second general RV store in the state.
Birkenstock To Take Over Distribution In Belgium
Birkenstock reported it will take over distribution in the Belgian market from Lanaform, an importer of several brands, and serve the market directly.
Adidas HR Chief To Depart This Month
Adidas AG reported that Amanda Rajkumar, executive board member and labor director of Adidas, responsible for global human resources, people and culture, informed the company’s Supervisory Board that she would not renew her contract, which expires in December 2023 and is leaving the company on July 15. Adidas provided no reason for Rajkumar’s decision.
Academy Sports Opens Store In Peoria
Academy Sports + Outdoors opened its first store in Peoria, IL, the second in the state, including the store in Fallon, IL.
Rapala VMC Lowers 2023 Outlook
Rapala VMC Corp., the fishing tackle company based in Helsinki, Finland, lowered its financial outlook for the year, now expecting 2023 operating profits to be “significantly below” 2022 due to marketplace inventory destocking efforts.
MEC Tied For Top Place With Costco As Canada’s Most Trusted Brand
In a tie with Costco, the Gustavson Brand Trust Index recognized Mountain Equipment Company (MEC) as Canada’s most trusted brand. Other brands in the active lifestyle space that made the Index’s Top 50 most trusted brands were Columbia Sportswear at No. 3; The North Face, 12; Patagonia, 15; and Canadian Tire, the parent of SportsChek, 37.
Big Agnes Launches Canadian Website
Big Agnes launched a new website to service Canada’s active outdoor consumers. The Steamboat-Spring, CO-based outdoor equipment brand said that by launching a site for the region, it could support its wholesale partners with a dealer locator tool that helps consumers find gear at local retailers.
World Surf League CEO Exits
The World Surf League (WSL) announced that CEO Erik Logan had left the company, effective immediately, with no reason for his departure. As the WSL begins a search for a new CEO, Emily Hofer, WSL’s chief people and purpose officer, and Bob Kane, chief operating officer and chief legal officer, will jointly lead the company.
